Apple today previewed Mac OS X Snow Leopard to developers at WWDC 2008. Rather than focusing primarily on new features, Snow Leopard will enhance the performance of OS X, set a new standard for quality and lay the foundation for future OS X innovation. Snow Leopard is optimized for multi-core processors, taps into the vast computing power of graphic processing units (GPUs), enables breakthrough amounts of RAM and features a new, modern media platform with QuickTime X. Snow Leopard includes out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange 2007 and is scheduled to ship in about a year.

The question on every one's lips is will they charge for an OS that adds no features?

I'm sure there will be new features and a charge as always. The statement simply say "rather than focusing on new features", it doesn't say that there won't be new features. In fact "rather than" implies that there will be new features. This is just a preview. Apple doesn't want to give away all its secrets (to MicroSoft) at this time.

The Planet Earth series had a segment on Snow Leopards in the #2 episode, "Mountains." Rare and beautiful cats. I recall them saying on the Planet Earth Diaries episodes how they were the first documentary team to take close up video of the leopards.

Thanks ClunkClunk,

I've had the series on Blu-ray for almost 1 year and I haven't watched the entire thing. This will give me reason to pop it back in the player. The series is truly stunning. I'm just not the type of person who likes to devote my attention to the TV for any length of time.

Apple really lucked out with the existence of Snow Leopards. I mean, what a clever product name for how they are trying to build on Leopard. Now, what will it cost?

It's a great name, but how will they market it? I can't see people running out in droves for a $129 dollar performance upgrade. I think there is way more to this story than Apple is leading on. Being multi-touch ready for Macs probably being the biggest thing. They surely don't want Windows 7 beating them to that punch.

I have to say I am excitedly awaiting this release. Some may say that Apple goofed on 10.5 (I never had an issue though) and now we are sitting at 10.5.3 and already news of 10.6. I could be wrong but that is a huge "cat out of the bag" (pun intended ) which is not the status quo for Apple. All that being said, I would have to applaud Apple for being so ballsy to say they want to focus on increasing performance on the "Worlds Best OS". I'd gladly plunk down $129 U.S. greenbacks for a better performing OS with little or no new features. A new OS, that runs well, can make your hardware seem like new again!

Not too mention the areas the talked about bettering. GPU, Multicore, etc. These are all areas we all discuss here regularly. C'mon Apple!

I agree with you, HM - when I upgraded my old eMac from Panther to Tiger, the performance improvement was so noticeable that it felt like I'd had a CPU upgrade. If that happens with Snow Leopard, then 1.66GHz owners like me will be very interested in the performance comparison between 10.4.11 and 10.6.1. _________________Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

If someone said to you. I've designed a new fuel for OS X automobiles. To use this fuel you must install a $130 device. BTW, you will have to install it yourself.

Option 1:
It has additives that your auto doesn't need in most driving conditions. These additives will decrease the performance of your auto. You may want to upgrade to a bigger engine to cope with these additives or your auto will have a loss of power and feel sluggish. Because these additives have not been tested in all environments, they may cause damage to your auto or possibly all of the autos in your garage. Some of your current music will no longer play on the stereo. We recommend that you only fuel up at approved stations.

or

Option 2:

It will make your auto run better than it did new. It will feel like you put a bigger engine in. It will also be safer. All your current music will play flawlessly, it will even sound better. You will likely get a few more years life out of your auto.

Keep in mind. Although Apple does sell hardware they have said in the past. They are a software company. Think of them as a perfume company that sells their products in pretty bottles. The pretty packaging sells the product.